Expert: Dick Rogers - 10/25/2007

Question
ok I have a question about the law because I want to abide by the law and not break it. I am a 30+ year old single male from Dallas, Texas who has met a 17 year old female from Houston, Texas online at myspace.com and my question from my understanding of the law is that in Texas when you turn 17 you are a legal adult in the state of Texas and if that is the case would it be against the law for me to go and pick her up and bring her back to Dallas to live with me or would I just have to wait until she turns 18 because I don't  want to break any laws....I just want to follow and abide by them...I want her to be with me now but I am in no hurry to have her here meaning I can wait until she is 18 if that is what is required by law for me to do. Thanks for your time and response.....Jay

Answer
Jay, normally I would not deal with this question, but in the interest of keeping you and her out of trouble I will tell you this.  Please check with Texas law enforcement people before you do anything.  I have never lived in Texas and wouldn't presume to know its laws.  I commend you for making the effort to keep yourself on the legal side of this equation.